What is Holistic Dentistry?

Relationship building and holistic dentistry: Be the influencer you were meant to be

What’s the secret to getting patients to follow our recommendations? As Paula Quinn, RDH, discovers, it’s all about building relationships! Only then can we influence patients to take a holistic view of their health.

WHAT IS THE HOLISTIC APPROACH IN DENTISTRY?

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL AND DENTAL HEALTH IN HEALTHY LIFE?

Taking a holistic approach to wellness is important for every individual. Traditional Western medicine often focuses on treating symptoms rather than root causes. As dentists, we now have the opportunity to show our patients that dental health is as important as nutrition, exercise, preventive care, or an annual checkup. We can give them the education and tools they need to transition to total wellness.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL AND DENTAL HEALTH IN SOCIAL HEALTH?

How do we create an environment that leads to total wellness? Incorporating this approach into patient care must begin at the beginning of every patient interaction. It takes into account the physical, mental, and social factors of a patient’s condition rather than just the diagnosed disease.

Relationship building and holistic dentistry: Be the influencer you were meant to be

What’s the secret to getting patients to follow our advice? As Paula Quinn, RDH, discovers, it’s all about building relationships! Only then can we influence patients with a holistic view of their health. Learn where to start in this article. Gaining insight requires more than just paperwork. It requires a strong relationship. Studies show that people are most effectively influenced in the context of a meaningful relationship. In the dental profession, this is accomplished through individualized care, transparency, honesty, and openness.

What are the keys to building strong relationships? Having core principles allows you to create a framework for every interaction. Here are my core principles that shape every patient encounter.

1.Personalized Care

• Make patients feel like they are more than just a number to you.
• Make them feel important and unique. This requires being fully engaged during interactions with patients and members of your office.
• Make sure they understand that everything they fill out, the questions you ask, and the information they share are all considered. Commit to asking for specific, detailed medical histories. Understanding what they value and what their concerns are will help you understand all the ways you can help patients achieve total health.

 2. Transparency

• Make sure the patient can see all aspects of their dental care – transparency into every issue, every question, every action, every benefit, every cost, and every option. If your solutions fail to stand in the light of transparency, the patient will eventually lose trust in you.
• We welcome your questions and plan your time accordingly. A few extra minutes at the beginning will ensure engagement by the end of the talk.

 3. Honesty

• “Trust will never come without the truth.” Establishing a relationship based on honesty with a new patient is worth the effort because it provides a lifetime of dental health.
• Make sure they are informed about their problem, the cause, all their options, the real costs, and a realistic time frame. This is the time to show them that you understand their whole health picture. Not every cause starts with the mouth!
• Do not minimize the patient’s concerns and problems. It is important to help the patient understand all aspects of treatment. However, it is also important for the patient to understand the importance of their issues. If they have an infection, do not use phrases such as “You have a slight infection” or minimize their problems. Tell them the truth to allow them to make good decisions and understand the consequences of their choices.

 4. Clarity

• Speak in terms your patient can understand.
• Explain technical and dental terms in a user-friendly way. Patients are often intimidated by language that makes them feel like they need to know something they don’t.
• Pause between concepts to allow patients to absorb your message and perhaps ask questions. Make as much eye contact as possible to ensure you know when an individual is confused or unsure. Be fully prepared for the patient interaction so you can speak freely and see what reaction you get.

Focus on developing strong personal and professional relationships and present yourself as an advocate for the patient. This is done by challenging patients to think beyond their immediate pain points. Not only does the patient need specific help right now, but they must also adopt behavioral changes to support treatment of the immediate problem.

In building this relationship, empower your patients with better self-care habits (e.g., brushing, flossing) regular care with cleanings and follow-up appointments, and knowing the consequences of their choices in both self-care and the treatment provided.

We know that patients who seek preventive care have lower healthcare costs, fewer complications and risks of ongoing problems, and better health outcomes. Show them aggressive dentistry with the most organic, cost-effective, and effective treatment. With your guidance, patients begin to understand and apply the holistic approach to themselves.

Define your core principles, apply them to every patient interaction, and improve patient relationships. These key steps taken at the very beginning of the hygienist/patient relationship can transform the way your patients interact with every aspect of your practice and lead to lifelong dental (overall) wellness.

Using a holistic approach, we create a connection that will be the driving force behind your patient’s long-term care, providing a foundation for total health and empowering you to be the influence you were meant to be.

Dr. Güzin Kırsaçlıoğlu